In April 2011, Bahraini citizens Jalila al-Salman and Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb were arrested by the Bahraini government for their involvement in alleged plans for strikes and violent protests by the Bahrain Teachers Association (BTA). The two were wrongfully imprisoned and tortured to elicit confessions. Recently, an appeals court upheld their wrongful imprisonment, even after hearing about the torture and false confessions. It is clearly up to Bahraini officials to release these innocent people.

Jalila and Mahdi were the president and vice-president of the BTA. The Bahrain court charged the two with inciting the organization to violent protests. The two were peaceful citizens simply exercising their right to free speech. The alleged charges are believed to have been levied against these citizens solely because of their position in the BTA. The fact that the court is keeping these two imprisoned even after knowing the torture they have faced suggests that their imprisonment may be because of their position.

Amnesty International labels these citizens “prisoners of conscience,” which means a person imprisoned due to their political views. Jalila and Mahdi were arrested because of their involvement in the BTA, and faced torture and wrongful imprisonment. They were forced to sign false confessions to their alleged crimes. These two do not deserve to remain in prison, as they have committed no true crime. Demand their immediate release.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Chief Justice Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa:

Bahraini citizens Jalila al-Salman and Mahdi ‘Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb were arrested for their alleged involvement in violent protests. However, these two were tortured and forced to sign confessions to their “crimes.” Both have maintained their innocence and have never incited violence against the Bahraini government. An appeals court recently ruled these two should stay imprisoned, despite being presented with evidence of the torture.

I ask you to release these two individuals from prison. They are the president and vice-president of the Bahrain Teachers Association, and their arrests were likely because of their positions. They are prisoners of conscience, instead of guilty of any real crime. Allow these prisoners to go free to amend their false arrests.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

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